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World Series 2011: History is on the side of home team Cardinals

As if the Texas Rangers' shocking defeat in Thursday's Game 6 of the World Series weren't bad enough, history seems to be against them as well heading into Friday night's Game 7 in St. Louis.

The home team has won the last eight World Series that have gone to a Game 7; the last one was in 2002 when the Angels made a stirring comeback in Game 6 after trailing 5-0. In Game 7, starter John Lackey and the Angels bullpen shut down the Barry Bonds-led San Francisco's offense in a 3-1 victory.

Friday night's pitching matchup would also seem to favor St. Louis, as Chris Carpenter, who is 3-0 this postseason, will take the mound for the Cardinals, while Texas will counter with Matt Harrison, who allowed five runs (three earned) in 3 2/3 innings en route to taking the loss in Game 3. In that 16-7 blowout, St. Louis' Albert Pujols tied the records for most homers (three), hits (five) and RBIs (six) in a World Series game.

The Cardinals are hosting the seventh game in large part because of a home run by Prince Fielder of their National League Central rival Milwaukee Brewers. Fielder's three-run homer helped lift the National League to a 5-1 win in this year's All Star game, giving the NL the home-field advantage in the World Series.

The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates were the last team to win a Game 7 on the road when they defeated the Baltimore Orioles, 4-1.

St. Louis has been on the flip side of this scenario, losing Game 7 on the road in Kansas City (1985) and Minnesota (1987).